The Pakistan cricket team succumbed to an embarrassing 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the 1st Test at Rawalpindi on Sunday (August 25). It was Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win over Pakistan and exposed the home side’s vulnerability in the longest format of the game.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi blasted the Pakistan team and management for failing pitches to help the strengths of home team and the selection decision to leave out a spinner from the playing XI as well.
“A 10-wicket defeat raises serious questions about the decision to prepare this type of pitch, select four fast bowlers and leave out a specialist spinner. This to me clearly shows a lack of awareness about home conditions,” Shahid Afridi tweeted.
A 10-wicket defeat raises serious questions about the decision to prepare this type of pitch, select four fast bowlers and leave out a specialist spinner. This to me clearly shows a lack of awareness about home conditions. That said, you cannot take the credit away from…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 25, 2024
The former Pakistan all-rounder, however, did not forget to congratulate Bangladesh on their historic triumph. The 10-wicket win was also their biggest ever victory in Test cricket. “That said, you cannot take the credit away from Bangladesh for the brand of cricket they played throughout the Test,” Afridi added.
Pakistan batters Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel stepped up for Pakistan on Day 2, each scoring a century to rescue the hosts. Rizwan was especially resilient after making an unbeaten 171 in a marathon innings that left him cramping by the day’s end. With an eye on forcing a result, Pakistan declared their innings at 448 for 6.
For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim (191) and Shadnam Islam (93) displayed a stupendous performance, making Pakistan toil in the field for much of Day 4. Both came agonisingly close to significant milestones but fell just short.
In the beginning of Day 5 at 23 for 1, Pakistan crumbled, being bowled out for just 146, with only Rizwan offering resistance through a fighting half-century. Bangladesh’s spinners stole the show, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking four wickets and Shakib Al Hasan adding three more.
The visitors needed just 30 runs for a historic win, which they achieved in under seven overs without losing a wicket. Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after the historic win in the first Test.
(with ANI inputs)
